QATAR EXECUTIVE TARGETS ASIAN BUSINESS JET MARKET

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Executive – Qatar Airways’ business jet division – is growing its international footprint by targeting corporations and the fast-growing number of high-net-worth individuals in Asia, reinforcing its strategy to tap into global growth markets.

Asia, predominantly China, is widely regarded as one of the fastest growing markets for business jet services today. Driven by robust economic growth and increasing corporate profits, the use of business jets as a tool to enhance productivity and to support and facilitate corporate international growth is gradually increasing.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “We see great potential in Asia for our charter services among business travellers and private individuals alike.

“As Asian corporations continue to expand their businesses, they are looking for the most convenient and efficient means of travel to spur their international corporate growth. The Qatar Executive fleet of ultra and long-range business jets hence provide them with a key transportation means and also greater flexibility in meeting their regional and global business travel needs, no matter how complex they are.”

To meet the requirements of the new target market, Qatar Executive has adjusted its inflight experience to match the taste of the Asian executive and private traveller. For example, customers can request to be served by Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking VIP cabin attendants, who are familiar with local customs and etiquette.

On board Qatar Executive’s fleet, guests can enjoy sumptuous local culinary cuisine, which they can personally choose prior to the flight or indulge into a carefully selected menu created individually for each guest.

“Our continuous fleet expansion, which sees Qatar Executive flying the most advanced business jet fleet available in the sky catering to our executive passengers’ every need, will further cement our position not just in our Middle East home market, but also in Asia where ultra-long range business jets are clearly the aircraft of choice,” added Mr. Al Baker.

Executive Vice President of Qatar Executive, David Edwards said: “The Asian travelling elite expects nothing less than the best aircraft in terms of range, performance and technology, combined with luxurious cabin design and refined personalised service. At Qatar Executive we offer all of this and the customer response towards our product has been extremely positive since we started operating in the region.”

After more than a year of gradually developing business within Greater China and the economically vibrant countries of South-East Asia, Qatar Executive has achieved a well-established presence in the region enabling customers to charter its long-range Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft stationed in Hong Kong and Macao. From here, the operator also serves neighbouring up-and-coming destinations such as Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.

The elegant business jet is wholly-owned by Qatar Airways, allowing for immediate bookings to be made, without customers having to wait for owner approvals as it is often the case with managed aircraft.

The Global 5000 jet is able to fly non-stop from Hong Kong to Djibouti or from Jakarta to destinations such as Dubai or Mombasa and offers high levels of comfort through its two-cabin configuration which allows for seven passengers to sleep comfortably.

Since its inception almost six years ago, Qatar Executive has seen rapid growth and is currently flying a top-notch fleet of eight business jets, which can reach most destinations in the world non-stop.

Recently Qatar Executive made the ground-breaking announcement to purchase up to 20 Gulfstream aircraft, including the manufacturer’s all-new G500 and the G650ER – the latter being a highly sought-after aircraft in the Asian region and China, where Gulfstream is the market share leader in aircraft sales.

In addition, Qatar Executive received a 40-seat Airbus A319 All-Premium Class aircraft in February, which is also available for worldwide charter for larger groups.

For further information and charter bookings, the Qatar Executive sales team is available 24- hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week on: +974 4010 0720 or request@qatarexec.com.qa.

About Qatar ExecutiveQatar Airways first announced the formation of a corporate jet subsidiary, Qatar Executive, at the Paris Air Show in 2009 as part of the airline’s ongoing robust global growth strategy, and continued commitment to the Middle East and global business travel community. Headquartered at Hamad International Airport, luxury jet services are available for worldwide charter on board the operator’s wholly owned all-Bombardier fleet. The fleet comprises four Global 5000s, one Global XRS and three Challenger 605s. Qatar Executive's service portfolio includes Aircraft Management, Airliner Charter, Maintenance and FBO services.